ICC World Test Championship 2025/27 State of Play
The <a href="https://absafricatv.com/after-durban-drubbing-south-africa-drop-stubbs-from-squad-call-up-player-with-two-test-experience-and-eye-rabada-return/" title="After Durban drubbing, South Africa drop Stubbs from squad; call up player with two Test experience and eye Rabada return”>South Africa Men’s selection panel has named a 17-player squad for the second Test against Australia, starting on Sunday, 18 October in Gqeberha.
Batter Matthew Breetzke replaces Tristan Stubbs in the squad, while Ryan Rickelton will take over the wicketkeeping duties for the second Test.
Breetzke comes into the team on the back of a solid showing in the ODI series against Australia, having scored 171 runs in three matches that included a century in Durban.
Stubbs has been short of runs for the Proteas of late, contributing just 33 runs in the first Test after a below-par showing in the ODIs.
The changes to the squad open up the possibility of an additional specialist batter featuring for South Africa.
Tony de Zorzi was not considered for selection as the left-hander continues his recovery from a left hamstring injury.
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Star pacer Kagiso Rabada, who did not feature in the opening Test, is in with a chance for featuring in the second Test.
The pacer has a formidable record against Australia in Test match cricket, taking 58 wickets in 11 matches.
The hosts had suffered a 214-run loss against Australia in the opening Test of the series in Durban.
So, a return of their ace bowler would be a huge boost for the Proteas ahead of the second Test.
South Africa are currently third in the ICC World Test Championship rankings behind Australia and New Zealand.
Squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, and Kyle Verreynne.
Series Schedule:
First Test: October 9-13, Durban (Australia won by 214 runs)
Second Test: October 18-22, Gqeberha
Third Test: October 27-31, Cape Town
ICC World Test ChampionshipNewsMen’s NewsSouth AfricaICC World Test Championship, 2025/27
